Month: June 2025

Texas took control of the Women’s College World Series championship series with a narrow 2-1 win over Texas Tech in Game 1, thanks to a surprising and bold move by catcher Reese Atwood. In the bottom of the sixth inning, with two runners on and a 3-0 count, Atwood swung at what appeared to be an intentional walk pitch and drove a two-run single into the outfield—snapping her postseason slump in dramatic fashion. The hit came off of Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady, who had dominated through five innings, allowing only one hit before the pivotal sixth. Texas had put two runners aboard with back-to-back singles and a stolen base, setting the stage for Atwood’s unexpected swing that gave her team the lead. On the defensive side, freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan delivered a strong outing for Texas, managing to hold off Texas Tech’s offense while working through early pressure. The Red Raiders had taken a 1-0 lead in the third inning but couldn’t generate enough offense down the stretch to reclaim the advantage. With this victory, Texas now leads the best-of-three series and is just one win away from claiming its first national championship in softball. Game 2 is set for Thursday evening, where Texas Tech will fight to stay alive, and the Longhorns will look to close out their historic run.

Quarterback Derek Carr has announced his retirement from the NFL after deciding not to undergo shoulder surgery that would have sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. Rather than remain on the New Orleans Saints roster and collect over $30 million in guaranteed salary while unable to play, Carr said he chose to step away from football on his own terms. The veteran signal-caller had been diagnosed with a serious shoulder injury that included a torn labrum and degeneration in his rotator cuff. While surgery was an option, Carr said the physical toll and uncertain recovery timeline pushed him toward retirement. He expressed that continuing to receive a paycheck without contributing on the field didn’t sit right with him, calling the choice a matter of personal integrity. Carr spent 11 seasons in the NFL, most notably with the Raiders before joining the Saints for the final two years of his career. He finishes with over 41,000 passing yards and 257 career touchdowns. Though he’ll retain a $10 million bonus received earlier in the offseason, he’s walking away from the remainder of his $150 million contract. With Carr stepping aside, the Saints now turn to younger talent to fill the quarterback role. Rookie Tyler Shough, second-year passer Spencer Rattler, and third-year QB Jake Haener are all expected to compete for the starting job heading into the 2025 season.

The Edmonton Oilers pulled off a dramatic comeback in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, rallying from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime. Leon Draisaitl delivered the game-winner with just 31 seconds left in the extra period, capping off a thrilling night in Edmonton and giving the Oilers a 1–0 lead in the series. Draisaitl scored twice, including the opening goal early in the first period and the decisive strike on a power play in overtime. Florida responded with three unanswered goals—two from Sam Bennett and one from Brad Marchand—to take a 3-1 lead. But Edmonton clawed back with third-period goals from Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm, with Connor McDavid assisting on the tying play. Goaltender Stuart Skinner turned away 29 shots to help keep the Oilers in contention. The win not only gives Edmonton early control in the best-of-seven series but also serves as a redemption moment after last year’s Finals setback. Draisaitl’s overtime goal tied an NHL record for most in a single postseason and further cemented his status as a playoff performer. McDavid, who now leads the playoffs in assists, continues to be a critical force in the Oilers’ deep run. Game 2 is set for Friday night in Edmonton, where the Oilers will look to extend their series lead before heading to Florida. The Panthers, meanwhile, will aim to regroup quickly and prevent the momentum from fully shifting in Edmonton’s favor.

Allegations of sexual misconduct against former Indiana University team doctor Bradford Bomba have expanded, with over a dozen former players now stepping forward. The latest claims come from 15 men who say they were subjected to unnecessary and inappropriate medical exams during their time with the university’s basketball program. The lawsuit, which originally involved two former athletes, now includes five named plaintiffs and ten others expected to join. Among them is former NBA player Butch Carter, who alleges that during a routine physical in 1979, Bomba performed a rectal exam that he believes was not medically justified. Carter says he reported the incident to head coach Bob Knight and other staff but claims it was ignored. According to the complaint, players who raised concerns were either dismissed or told the exams were standard procedure. Several of the men say they felt pressured to continue seeing Bomba despite discomfort and suspicion about the nature of the exams. One former player recalled being touched inappropriately during a physical, while another said he was subjected to a rectal exam while still in high school. Indiana University previously conducted an internal review into Bomba’s conduct and concluded that the exams were medically appropriate, finding no indication of misconduct. However, the players dispute those findings and argue that the review failed to reflect their lived experiences and emotional trauma. Legal hurdles remain due to Indiana’s statute of limitations and the fact that Bomba passed away earlier this year. Still, the former players say they are speaking out to hold the university accountable and raise awareness about the long-term harm they endured. Some say the impact of those experiences has only become clearer with time, especially as they reflect on their own children’s ages and vulnerability.

The New York Knicks have officially ended their partnership with head coach Tom Thibodeau, concluding a five-year run that brought both progress and playoff excitement to the franchise. The decision comes despite the team recently reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 and posting back-to-back 50-win seasons. Thibodeau, who took over in 2020, helped revitalize the Knicks, earning praise for bringing structure, defensive toughness, and a winning mentality to the team. Under his leadership, the Knicks made the playoffs in four of five seasons, and he was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2021. However, concerns over player fatigue and his heavy reliance on starters were often topics of debate among analysts and fans. In a statement, Knicks president Leon Rose thanked Thibodeau for his dedication, saying the coach gave “everything he had” to the role. Rose added that the team remains focused on building a championship contender and believes a new coaching direction is necessary to achieve that goal. Reactions poured in across social media following the news. Knicks guard Josh Hart expressed gratitude toward Thibodeau, while actor and longtime fan Ben Stiller acknowledged the coach’s role in making the Knicks competitive again. The team’s recent success has raised expectations, making this coaching change a significant moment for the franchise. The Knicks now begin their search for a new head coach to build on Thibodeau’s foundation and pursue the team’s first NBA title in over 50 years. Several names are already being floated as potential replacements, but the front office has yet to reveal its next steps.

A man has been permanently banned from using FanDuel after he verbally harassed Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas during a recent track event in Philadelphia. The individual reportedly heckled Thomas at the starting line, then later posted a video boasting about how his actions may have affected her performance—allowing him to win a bet. Thomas, a decorated athlete and Olympic medalist, responded on social media, sharing that the heckler followed her around the venue and directed aggressive comments at her, even in the presence of young fans. While she acknowledged that athletes sometimes face heckling, she drew the line at being followed and personally targeted. FanDuel issued a statement condemning the behavior and confirming that the person responsible would no longer be allowed to use their platform. The company emphasized its commitment to protecting athletes and maintaining integrity in sports betting. The event organizers, Grand Slam Track, also said they are investigating the incident and reviewing security protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future. They expressed support for Thomas and reiterated their stance on creating a respectful environment for athletes and spectators alike. The situation has reignited conversations around the impact of sports betting on athlete well-being, especially as social media makes it easier for bettors to directly engage—sometimes harmfully—with competitors.